2016 Toyota Prius Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 Toyota Prius has a complaint index of 45, ranking 12th worst out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict. Its top problem area is Visibility & Wipers (27% of complaints), with 154 total complaints and 5 recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #12 of 21 Prius years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 154
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 54
- 56 city / 51.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2016 Toyota Prius problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers41 (27%)
- Other31 (20%)
- Engine29 (19%)
- Electrical System23 (15%)
- Brakes20 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (10%)
- Structure & Body14 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (9%)
- Airbags7 (5%)
- Fuel System6 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report unintended acceleration where the car surged forward on its own, in one case at 42,372 miles and in another at 14,500 miles.
- Some drivers describe the brakes offering little to no response during sudden stops, leading to collisions.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in rear-end and frontal crashes despite significant vehicle damage.
- Several owners say the front seat headrest sits too far forward, causing neck and head discomfort during long drives.
- One owner reported a seatback that moved backward on impact, causing the driver's shins to hit the dashboard.
2016 Toyota Prius recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V579000Sep 5, 2018Electrical System192,347 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found. A protective sleeve or protective tape will be included to prevent any future damage. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0T.
- NHTSA 18V085000Jan 31, 2018Airbags48,672 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles. The air bag pressure sensors and/or the acceleration sensors may fail causing the side/curtain shield air bags and/or the front air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensors as necessary based on their serial numbers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 12, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are JLA, J0F.
- NHTSA 17V658000Oct 18, 2017Fuel System6 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Prius vehicles. A capacitor within the hybrid system may not have been properly bolted to the inverter housing.
Risk: If the capacitor was not properly secured, vibrations from driving the vehicle may damage the capacitor, shutting down the hybrid system, causing a loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inverter, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by early December 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0U.
2016 Toyota Prius fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 56 MPG
- Highway
- 51.5 MPG
- Combined
- 54 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Toyota Prius reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Prius rates Good, ranking 12th worst out of 21 Prius model years with a complaint index of 45.
- What is the top problem area for the 2016 Toyota Prius?
- Visibility & Wipers issues lead complaints, making up 27% of the 154 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 17,900 miles.
- Does the 2016 Toyota Prius have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2016 Prius, covering the electrical system, airbags, fuel system, and brakes.
- How does the 2016 Prius compare to other years?
- The 2016 Prius has a lower complaint index (45) than earlier years like 2010 (100, Avoid) and 2007 (95, Avoid), and it ranks better than most 2005-2015 model years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Toyota Prius?
- The EPA rates the 2016 Prius at 54 mpg combined (56 city / 51.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $1,200.